Research

In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week, which was observed during the week that included Sept. 15 and Sept. 16. The observance was expanded in 1988 to a monthlong celebration (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15). America celebrates the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Sept. 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.

More than 80 percent of Puerto Rican respondents say mobile communications technology such as smartphones and laptops have boosted personal productivity and, for many, have transformed their work-life balance, according to the latest findings from an international workplace survey.

The Nielsen Company announced the launch of a panel and platform for measuring Internet audiences. The new panel increases Nielsen’s measurement of Web sites from 3,000 to more than 30,000, provides better representation of Hispanics, teens, and cell phone-only households, and improves coverage of multiple personal computers in households.

This statistical profile describes the demographic, employment and income characteristics of the Puerto Rican population in the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. The characteristics of Puerto Ricans are contrasted with the characteristics of all Hispanics and the U.S. population overall. The profile uses data from the Census Bureau’s 2007 American Community Survey.

Hispanics, especially those who are more recent arrivals, give higher ratings in product surveys than their non-Hispanic counterparts, according to a study designed by Jeffry Savitz, President of Savitz Research Companies and Professor of Marketing Research at the University of North Texas.

The Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies (AHAA) joined the Media Rating Council (MRC), an industry-funded self-regulatory body that audits and accredits audience rating services.

Significant differences can be found across race and ethnicity in the way U.S. employees save and invest in their 401(k) plans, according to 401(k) Plans in Living Color: A Study of 401(k) Savings Disparities Across Racial and Ethnic Groups—The Ariel/Hewitt Study.

The population of New Orleans grew 8.2 percent in 2008, faster than any other large city in the U.S., according to population estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau. As of July 1, 2008, the population of New Orleans was 311,853, up from 210,768 in 2006 following Hurricane Katrina but still below the pre-hurricane level of 484,674 based on the 2000 Census.

In July 2009, U.S. Census Bureau field representatives will collect information about how much Americans spend for groceries, clothing, transportation, housing, health care and other items from a sample of households across the country.

Marketers need to start paying attention to the opinion leaders, the people driving innovation. They’re young and Hispanic.

It’s 2009: Do you know where your kids are?

The William C. Velasquez Institute (WCVI) released its latest White Paper, focusing on the current Home Mortgage Foreclosure Crisis.